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April 20, 2013

Rangers starter Nick Tepesch exits with contusion on right wrist

ARLINGTON -- Rangers right-hander Nick Tepesch left his start Saturday night with a contusion of his right wrist.

Tepesch had thrown 1 2/3 scoreless innings before Jesus Montero hit a line drive back at him that ricocheted off his right wrist and reached right-center field. Rangers physician Keith Meister examined Tepesch after the incident, and diagnosed him with the contusion. He is icing it and more will be known on Sunday.

Tepesch's final line was 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with no walks and three strikeouts. He was making his third big-league start, going 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA over his first two starts.

If Tepesch has to go to the disabled list, the Rangers starting depth would be put to the test. They could look to Derek Lowe, who relieved Tepesch, to start.

The best minor-league options at this point are Brad Mills, who is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three starts, or Josh Lindblom, who is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three games (two starts), at Triple A Round Rock. Mills is not on the 40-man roster, but Lindblom is.

The Rangers tabbed Tepesch as their fifth starter out of spring training. The 24-year-old combined to go 11-6 with a 3.67 ERA last season with stints at High A Myrtle Beach and Double A Frisco.

Tepesch was a 14th round draft pick out of the University of Missouri in 2010.